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PRAYE  I J  8 


SI  1TAHI.K    FOB 


[HE  TIMES  IN  WHICH  WE  LIVE 


CHARLESTON: 

Evans  &  Cogswell,  No.  3  Broad  Street. 

1861. 


A 


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PB A  VK US 
SUITABLE  FOR  THE  TUP  IS  WHICH  WE  LIVE. 


A  PRAYER  FOR  THE  TIMES. 

Compiled  from  an  old  writer,  with  alterations  and  addi- 
tions Buitable  to  tin-  present  condition  of  the  Confederate 
States  of  America. 


Gracious  Father,  tin-  life  of  man  is  a  warfare  upon 
earth,  and  the  dangers  which  assault  us  are  diversely 
pointed  against  us.  We  humbly  beseech  Thee  be 
present  with  us  in  all  the  course  and  pa^saircs  of  our 
lives,  but  especially  in  the  Secession  we  have  under- 
taken, and  tin-  hostilities  in  which  it  lias  involved  us 
Suffer  no  malice,  or  treachery,  or  stratagem — whether 
civil,  diplomatic,  or  military,  to  hurt  us:  no  cunning 
t<»  circumvent  us;  no  surprises  to  come  upon  us  un- 
awares; no  falsehood  to  betray  us.  That  which  we 
eannol  foresee  we  beseech  Thee  to  prevent;  that 
whi(di  we  cannot  withstand  we  beseech  Thee  to  mas- 
ter: that  which  we  do  not  fear  we  beseech  Thee  to 
unmask  and  frustrate — that  being  delivered  from  all 
dangers    of  spirit,    soul    and    body,    we    may  praise 

^ 


-ip- 


Thee,  our  Deliverer,  and  experience  how  secure  and 
happy  a  thing  it  is  to  make  the  Lord  of  Hosts  our 
Protector  and  Helper  in  the  day  of  fear  and  trouble, 
of  peril  and  distress. 

O,  our  God,  though  mighty  and  numerous  States 
gather  together  on  heaps,  yet  let  them  be  driven 
away  from  our  borders  as  the  smoke  before  the 
wind;  and  though  they  take  counsel  together,  bring 
it  to  nought.  For  though  they  pronounce  a  decree, 
yet  it  shall  not  stand,  if  Thou,  O  God,  be  with  us. 
Be  with  us,  therefore,  O  God,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Almighty  and  merciful  Father,  at  this  time 
we  need  Thy  more  especial  assistance  both  by  land 
and  by  sea,  and  for  the  mercy  of  Christ  deny  us 
neither.  Defeat,  we  implore  Thee,  the  designs  and 
confound  the  machinations  of  our  enemies;  abate 
their  pride  and  assuage  their  fury ;  soften  their 
hearts  and  change  their  unnatural  hatred  into  Chris- 
tian love,  and  forgive  them  all  their  sins  against 
Thee  and  against  us.  Grant  that  their  ships  may 
find  no  way  in  our  seas,  nor  any  path  in  our  floods ; 
may  their  spies  be  speedily  detected  and  effectually 
banished  from  our  midst ;  preserve  us  from  war  and 
tumult ;  from  battle,  murder,  and  sudden  death ; 
guard  us  from  sedition,  conspiracy,  and  rebellion  ; 
defend  our  soil  from  invasion  and  our  ports  from 
blockade — that  we  may  glorify  Thee  for  these  deliver- 
ances, no  less  than  for  Thy  signal  presence  and  power 
Pb ^ 


-=fr 


in  the  mercies  of  our  bloodless  victory 

being  sheltered  by  Thy  grace  and  favor  from  every 

spiritual   and  temporal   evil,  and  from  all  personal 

and  national  calamities.  Ave  may  ever  obey  and  serve 
Thee  in  purity  of  heart  and  holiness  of  life,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  to  whom  with 
Thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  praise,  worship  and 
dominion  for  ever  and  ever.      Amen. 


A  PRAYER  FOR  OUR  ENEMIES. 
From  >li(>  same  writer. 


()  God,  we  beseech  Thee,  forgive  and  pardon  our 

enemies,  and  give  us  that  measure  of  Thy  grace, 
that  for  their  hatred  Ave  may  love  them ;  for  their 
cursing  we  may  bless  them:  for  their  injury  Ave  may 
do  them  good ;  and  for  their  persecution  Ave  may 
pray  for  them.  They  have  laid  a  net  for  our  steps, 
•:  and  they  have  digged  a  pit  before  us ;  Lord,  we 
desire  not  that  they  themselves  should  fall  into  the 
midst  of  these,  but  we  beseech  Thee  keep  us  out  of 
them,  and  deliver,  establish,  bless  and  prosper  us  for 
Thy  mercy's  sake  in  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour,  to 
whom  with  Thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  desire  to 
consecrate  ourselves  and  our  country,  noAV  and  for- 
ever, imploring  Thee  to  be  our  God,  and  to  make  us 
Thy  people.      Amen. 


^p ^ 


WASHINGTON'S  PRAYER. 

From  McGuire's  Religious  Opinions  and  Character  of 
Washington. 


Almighty  Father,  if  it  is  Thy  holy  will  that  we 
shall  obtain  a  place  and  name  among  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  grant  that  we  may  be  enabled  to  show  our 
gratitude  for  Thy  goodness,  by  our  endeavors  to 
fear  and  obey  Thee.  Bless  us  with  wisdom  in  our 
councils,  success  in  battle,  and  let  all  our  victories  be 
tempered  with  humanity.  Endow,  also,  our  enemies 
with  enlightened  minds,  that  they  may  become  sen- 
sible of  their  injustice,  and  willing  to  restore  our 
liberty  and  peace.  Grant  the  petition  of  Thy  ser- 
vant for  the  sake  of  Him  whom  Thou  hast  called 
Thy  beloved  Son;  nevertheless,  not  our  will  but 
Thine  be  done.     Amen. 


A  PRAYER  FOR  OUR   ARMIES. 

By  Bishop  Green,  of  Mississippi. 


Almighty  God,  whose  Providence  watcheth  over 
all  things,  and  in  whose  hands  is  the  disposal  of  all 
events,  we  look  up  to  Thee  for  Thy  protection  and 
blessing  amidst  the  apparent  and  great  dangers  with 


a- 


* 


"~'i 


which  we  arc  encompassed.  Thou  hast,  in  Thy  wis- 
:  dom,  permitted  us  to  l>c  threatened  with  the  many 
evils  of  an  unnatural  and  destructive  war.  Save  us, 
we  beseech  Thee,  from  the  hands  of  our  enemies. 
Watch  over  our  fathers,  and  brothers,  and  sons,  who. 
trusting  in  Thy  defence  and  iu  the  righteousness  of 
our  cause,  hav<  -one  forth  to  the  service  of  their 
country.  May  their  lives  be  precious  in  Thy  sight. 
Preserve  them  from  all  the  dangers  to  which  the)-  may 
be  exposed.  Enable  them  successfully  to  perform 
their  duty  to  Thee  and  to  their  country,  and  do 
Thou,  in  Thine  infinite  wisdom  and  power,  so  over- 
rule events,  and  so  dispose  the  hearts  of  all  engaged 
in  this  painful  struggle,  that  it  may  soon  end  in 
peace  and  brotherly  love,  and  lead  not  only  to  the 
safety,  honor  and  welfare  of  our  Confederate  States, 
hut  to  the  good  of  Thy  people, and  the  glory  of  Thy 
great  name,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Charleston,  S.  C,  Fast  Day, 
June  13///.  A.D.  1861. 


P6?*93 


